SanDiegogirl

Every volunteer job I have had with large events, the least thing you get is free admission ......

petitefrancaise

I would have thought that the people that have offered you the "voluntary' position would be the ones to ask about which is the correct option for you?

In today's hostile US immigration climate, I personally would not risk my future visits to the USA for a dodgy volunteer position. Anything that will require you attempting to hide or not disclose something to the Border Guard is not worth it.

tom169

Go to comicon and enjoy it from the other side... As a guest.

GeoffM

"Those lucky enough to volunteer during the Con, get in free for the days that they complete a volunteer assignment. In exchange for three hours of work (and I use the term loosely) volunteers receive a full, free day at SDCC. That’s nothing to toss a lightsaber at."

Insider’s Guide to Volunteering at the Con | San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog

Does seem a lot of effort just to get free entry which is a handful of tenners per day, depending on which day.

S Folinsky

The State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual contains fairly good discussions of the type of activities are encompassed under the B-1 visa classification.

Nutmegger

It also sounds as if the”Con” part of the title involves getting lots of free labor from star-struck kids!

vikingsail

Agreed. To the Op the clue is in the title Comic Con! It is just that. My advice buy your tickets come and enjoy yourself as a visitor. It's not worth the hassle or savings to be a so called 'volunteer.' Or as someone esle mentioned to create potential problems for any future visits. Have you ever wondered why they are resorting to 'volunteers' like yourself when there are quite a few million in So. California. it's because they see the 'Con' for what it is thus the so called organizers have to go further afield to recruit their alleged volunteers.

crg

I admit that I have gotten less tactful as this issue persists. It just seems like the default and immediate response of some people is to take an honest poster looking for information and tell them how to change the facts of their situation in order to circumvent what the rules are. That type of "help" would tend to besmirch the the other participants on this forum with guilt by association.

How is advising someone to tell the border guards that you're just visiting presenting useful information? Do people not already know that merely visiting is lawful? How is that informative? It's also easy for them to say when they're not going to have any repercussions when the guidance is followed.

Overall, I truly enjoy the forum. It's good to help people, figure out the answers and it helps me keep current with the subject matter.

scrubbedexpat099

Tickets sold out a long time ago.

I would use the VWP.

Former Lancastrian

Now granted the US legislation differs somewhat than Canadian legislation when it comes to what either country considers work in relation to non citizens and Permanent Residents not living in either country.

Where the biggest problem is besides sometimes an interpretation of what someone considers volunteer work is the POE examination.
Purpose of your visit to the USA
So how do you answer it?
Im just visiting or Im here to volunteer at Comic con?
Either answer could then start a chain of events that might not benefit the OP.
We have this thing called Failing to comply with the Act and failing to truthfully all questions asked.
We also have Misrepresentation.
Either one can lead to the person being denied entry.
In cases where there seems to be a greyish area I would be getting something in writing from an Immigration attorney or the US Govt Agency with what they think or if no specific answer then you have the choice of winging it yourself or changing your plans to volunteer.

I have and seen others refuse entry to persons due to a bullshit story which had they told the truth would have got them entry. Its the lies and misinterpretation officers don't accept as you are basically lying to their face and they don't appreciate it.

scrubbedexpat099

Never been to Comic Con, but my very first trip to the US involved going to Historicon.

I can not remember what I was asked, I am sure it was no more than the usual.

A lot of overthinking going on.

az2014

Pretty obvious its one of those things you're not allowed to do, but if nobody asks and you dont say, nobody will ever find out.

Whether its worth the risk I guess only the OP can decide.

scrubbedexpat099

These threads always make me laugh, I doubt if anyone sermonising on the subject taking it to the nth degree could not also have been said to have broke said rules.